Island fundraiser to help purchase wheelchair accessible vehicle

Trattoria Simpatico will host a fundraiser on Sunday, May 1, to raise money to help with the purchase of a wheelchair accessible vehicle to aid a 4-year-old child who is suffering from spinal muscular atrophy.

Destinee is the great grand-daughter of Arlene and Charlie Petit of Jamestown. You may have seen Arlene walking in the village with Destinee in a stroller.

The fundraiser will be held from noon to 4 p.m. There will be hors d’oeuvres, a pasta station, a silent auction, a live auction and music. Tickets are $50 per person and may be purchased at Trattoria Simpatico. Tickets may also be purchased by calling Arlene at 423- 7496 or e-mailing her at adpetit@cox.net.

According to Arlene, Destinee was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type 2 in 2008. The neuromuscular disorder causes degeneration of muscle tone and motor control, making simple physical feats challenging.

Destinee has a wheelchair, Arlene says, but her parents need a wheelchair accessible vehicle to help with transportation.